As the date approached for our departure to FL I kept asking my father in-law about the possibility of hunting pigs this time, and he replyed, "no problem, it's all set up".
So.... when we got there, it turns out it wasn't "all set up" and we had fun doing other stuff but getting around to actually settin up a hunt seemed to fade somewhat.
I finally got impatient and booked a hunt with a guide one morning after being there (FL) for over a week. Now the wheels started turning and we got permission for me to hunt right across the street from the inlaws on a couple hundred acre plant nursery. Tho I had never seen the rumored pigs, supposedly there was a sow and a boar and some little ones runninng around the place.
After plinking a few practice shots into a cardboard box I set off walking out the lane of my inlaws 7 acre orange grove for across the street and some poking around to get the lay of the land in said nursery. It is now 5 pm. No high hopes, but it is something to do till we are supposed to go to supper at 7.
Remember here I know basicly nothing about pigs or huting them. As I get into the really dense part of the nursery property it is just over grown and jungle. Can't see very far and I have visions of hogs the size of cows ready to gore me, I have heard plenty of stories. At least there are no alligators in here (I hope) I hear crashes and thumps in the brush all over. It is a little spooky and dark and close quarters in here!!
I guide brown bear hunts here in AK so I am not REALLY that bothered but a little drama for the story eh?
I realize that all teh noises I have been hearing are mostly squirrels bashing around in the trees and dropping and knocking things down out of the trees.
Got up close and personal with a raccoon who didn't seem to be bothered by my presence.
As is sneak (relative term in the mostly dry cruchy undergrowth) slowly I see black pig shaped forms rooting around ahead of me. Too far and to much brush for a shot but I keep going slowly. I stop when they spook some. When they move off I resume in their direction. Out of the corner of my eye I see movement and stop again.
The movement turns out to be a small piggy rooting next to a tree root and he is broadside to me with only the top half of the body showing.
15 yards maybe? I practice for shots like this every chance it get on my targets at home. 20 targets at unknown distances, around trees, thru branches over obsticals, etc. No thought. Just shoot.
The arrow slides over the tree root by a whisker punches thru both lungs and the Woodsman doesn't even slow down. A short squeal and the pig runs off.
This is getting long winded, so I will be back soon with some more of the story.
Topic: Florida questions (answered) part 2 (Read 493 times)
